APL Planning Statement

www.ruralbusinessconsultancyltd.com

20th February 2019

Re: Erection of Agricultural Building and slurry storage tower at Ballacubbon Farm, St Marks.

Please find attached plans and accompanying maps on behalf of TERRAG Ltd. I have discussed the application with the applicant and wish the following points to be considered with the application.

• • Mr Jack Garrett, TERRAG Ltd, started supplying milk to the Isle of Man Creamery in October 2018.
• • Mr J Garrett is currently milking 85 dairy cows and is on track to achieve his target numbers of 120 cows. There are a further 80 calves, 80 1-2 year old cattle and 12 finishing cattle.
• • Mr J Garrett is farming a total area of 230 acres of which 30acres is cropped with the remainder in grass. There is a further 30acres of summer grazing which is not accounted for due to it short term nature.
• • The total labour requirement for TERRAG Ltd is approximately 2.64 standard labour units. This is increased from the 2.05 SLU in 2019 when TERRAG Ltd, last applied for an agricultural building.
• • All of the land Mr J Garrett farms is leased on various length agreements. The proposed building is to be erected on the family farm, Ballacubbon, which Mr J Garrett leases the land and some buildings from his parents.
• • Following the installation of a new milking parlour in 2018, and the erection of new purpose-built cubicle building for the housing of the dairy herd in 2019/2020, Mr Garrett wishes to erect a new building specifically for the rearing of calves and the storage of feed.
• • Mr J Garrett has been leasing buildings at the nearby Ballacroak farm for the housing of his young stock, however this arrangement is set to end following the 2020/2021 winter period.
• • Currently Mr J Garrett has housing for some of the older young stock and a small number of calves. Total area available for cattle under one year of age is approximately 209m².
• • As it stands with 85 cows calving, largely in the autumn period there is insufficient housing available for the calves.
• • The land owner, Mr D Garrett is also farming from this site, utilising the remaining buildings for his own farming business.
• • Mr Garrett is proposing to erect an agricultural building 27.42m x 12.2m for the housing of calves and some storage of grain for animal feed.
• • This will provide Mr J Garrett sufficient capacity to expand his milking cow numbers to 120 cows and also continue to rear young stock on the land available to him.

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• • An area of approximately 83.6m² will be utilised with in the proposed building for the storage of grain, feed and bedding. This area is to be at the further end of the building and be fitted with two roller doors to allow quick and easy access.
• • The remaining 167.2m² will be used for the housing and rearing of the calves born on the farm along with the existing small calf rearing area.
• • The larger cattle will be housed in the old cubicle building and outwintered.
• • The Proposed building is to be constructed adjacent to an existing building so that is in keeping within the existing farm curtilage.
• • Mr J Garrett is also proposing to construct a slurry lagoon adjacent to the recently constructed cubicle shed. This will provide approximately 6 months storage capacity for the 120-cow dairy herd.
• • Currently slurry is stored in a small underground tank that has the capacity for 7-to-10-day storage depending on the rainfall.
• • The tank is to be 24.176m diameter by 3.66m high. This will provide a net capacity of 329,734 gallon or 1499m³ storage capacity.
• • There is a 300mm freeboard allowance included in the volumes.
• • The targeted 120 dairy herd will produce approximately 1459m³ over the 6-month winter period.
• • Red Tractor farm assurance has a requirement for slurry storage facilities and also a means of utilisation without any environmental implications.
• • The storage of the slurry will allow for improved utilisation and targeting to growing crops at the ideal periods.
• • With the winters becoming wetter and the increasing number of animals, long term storage solutions that minimise the environmental risk are essential for a forward-looking dairy business.
• • Construction is also to incorporate a 150mm base.
• • The tank will comply with British Standard 5502 Part 50 1993
• • The Tank is to be a coated steel construction which are commonly found on dairy farms across the Island and the UK.
• • The tank will be green in colour (other colours available if felt necessary).

The proposed building and slurry storage tank are both agriculturally justified and key next step for this young and growing dairy based business.

Yours Sincerely

Chris Kneale

Rural Business Consultancy